Ziúr - Deeform

Ziúr - Deeform
Sometimes the only way to make yourself heard among the fray is to be louder. That was Ziúr's strategy on Taiga, her excellent EP for Infinite Machine earlier this year. Taiga wasn't just a full-on club music assault—it was funky, with an ear for intricate percussion patterns and expert sound design to match. Deeform, which arrives via Lara Rix-Martin's new Objects Limited label, only sharpens Ziúr's approach, channeling the noise and fury into controlled blasts.

The EP starts heavy and unravels from there. The title track and "Collar Bone" are especially brutal, with Ziúr's signature mix of cinder block drums, howling Hoovers and overdriven synths. Vocal samples, like the unsettling screams in "Collar Bone," get caught up—and cut up—in the music's thrust, adding to the whiplash momentum. "noR3gRts" is like a slowed-down hardstyle tune full of angry, barking dogs. It's another example of the way Ziúr distills aggression, with every element hardened for maximum impact.

The last two tracks take a breather. "Himalaya" focuses on a roomy, tribal style with melodramatic breakdowns, while "Bud Dallas" is almost friendly, with its bright sounds and groovy bassline. It was obvious, even in her loudest moments, that Ziúr was deft with slinky, oddball rhythms. When she slows down a little on these two tracks, her music doesn't lose its magic—in fact, it might be better for it.